Abstract
Aim
To transform knowledge from public health and health services research into actual improvement of services is highly relevant for spending public research resources effectively. Fostering stakeholder interaction throughout the entire research process is one potential avenue towards this aim. The objective of this paper is to look for established practices with the aim to promote the usability of research in policy and practice through interaction.
Subject and methods
We conducted 11 semi-structured telephone-interviews with senior experts from the same number of public health and health services research institutions in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Norway.
Results
Practice patterns are manifold, but three key domains were identified:
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1.
Research implementation is explicitly part of the organisation’s mission. Research commissioning institutions serve as intermediaries between research, policy and practice.
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2.
Funds are earmarked for implementation activities. In regular evaluation cycles special consideration is given to the impact of research.
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3.
Multiple forums for interaction support the ability of researchers to actively communicate with stakeholders. Network-building skills are developed alongside scientific competence.
Conclusion
Promising initiatives can be found in practice. Further research is needed into what difference it makes how the exchange between research and policy is organised.
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Patera, N., Wild, C. Linking public health research with policy and practice in three European countries. J Public Health 21, 473–479 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-013-0556-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-013-0556-9